Tropicana Las Vegas#New Bally's Las Vegas

The Tropicana was conceived by Ben Jaffe, part owner of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. In 1955, Jaffe came to Las Vegas and bought the vacant property that would become the site of the Tropicana.{{cite book|last=Moehring|first=Eugene P.|title=Resort city in the sunbelt: Las Vegas, 1930–2000|year=2000|publisher=University of Nevada Press|isbn=0-87417-356-6|pages=84–86|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LXd6AAAAMAAJ |access-date=December 26, 2023}} M. Tony Sherman of Miami was the architect and Taylor Construction Company was the general contractor.{{cite news |title=2 More Strip Hotels Get Okeh of Planners |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%222+More+Strip+Hotels+Get+Okeh%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 15, 1955 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Jaffe intended the Tropicana to be the finest hotel in Las Vegas.

Construction ran over schedule and over budget, due in part to competition for labor with the under-construction Stardust, also on the Las Vegas Strip. Jaffe had to sell his interest in the Fontainebleau to complete the Tropicana. Originally proposed as a $4.5 million project,{{cite news |title=Tropicana Hotel Gets Green Light |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20Hotel%20Gets%20Green%20Light%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 22, 1955 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} it ultimately cost $15 million, including $800,000 for decorating and tropical landscaping.{{cite news |title=Licensing Board Clear Tropicana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1010590600/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=March 27, 1957 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} It was the most expensive Las Vegas resort developed up to that point, beating the $8.5 million Riviera, which opened two years earlier. The Tropicana would be advertised as "the Tiffany of the Strip",{{cite web |last=Dini |first=Mike |title=The Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.neonmuseum.org/education/the-las-vegas-strip |website=Neon Museum |access-date=December 30, 2023}} in reference to the high-end jeweler Tiffany & Co.

The project had 30 investors,{{cite news |title=Newest Las Vegas Hotel Plush Tropicana Will Open |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147914648/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=March 27, 1957 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} including singer Morton Downey, who owned a five-percent interest.{{cite news |title=Control Board Considers Tropicana Hotel License |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147888473/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=March 14, 1957 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} Jaffe first leased the property to Phil Kastel, who supervised the project during construction.{{cite news |title=Kastel Retires From Tropicana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/148115995/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=February 9, 1957 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} However, the Gaming Control Board raised suspicions over Kastel's apparent links to organized crime, prompting him to sell his interest in the Tropicana in early 1957. This paved the way for the issuance of a gaming license.{{cite news |title=Tallies Found on Costello Match Nev. Gambling Take |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/211308677/ |work=Shreveport Times |date=June 13, 1957 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} J. Kell Houssels, owner of the Las Vegas Club, was hired to operate the Tropicana casino.{{cite news |title=Houssels Sr. May Head Gaming At Tropicana |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Houssels+Sr.+May+Head+Gaming+At+Tropicana%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 9, 1956 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

The Tropicana hosted a preview opening for local residents on April 3, 1957, before debuting to the general public a day later.{{cite news |title=Opening Held For Tropicana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147755874/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=April 4, 1957 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=December 22, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} The resort's involvement with organized crime was confirmed a month later, when a note bearing a Tropicana earnings figure was found in the possession of mobster Frank Costello, who was associated with Kastel. Costello had been shot in a failed assassination attempt, and police discovered the note while he was under hospital care.

The control board subsequently investigated to determine whether Kastel was still secretly involved with the Tropicana.{{cite news |title=Tropicana President Denies Any Costello Interest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/140323051/ |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |agency=United Press |date=June 13, 1957 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} Kastel had publicly invested more than $300,000 in the project during construction, and the Nevada Tax Commission eventually ordered the Tropicana to rid its ties with him as soon as possible by paying off the debt owed to him.{{cite news |title=Tropicana Spa Difficulty Told To Commission |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/147846480/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |date=August 20, 1957 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} The note was ultimately traced to Tropicana executive Louis Lederer and cashier Michael Tanico, both of whom would be removed from the property.{{cite news |title=Nevada Gambling: State Board Digs Deep |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1010610617/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=January 14, 1964 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=David G. |title=The hit that could have sunk Las Vegas |url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/costello-hit-sunk-las-vegas/ |website=The Mob Museum |access-date=December 29, 2023 |date=June 24, 2017}}

By 1959, Houssels bought out Jaffe's interest, gaining a majority share in the Tropicana and becoming its new president.{{cite news |title=Kell Houssels Sr., New President of Tropicana |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Kell%20Houssels%20Sr.%2C%20New%20President%20of%20Tropicana%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 20, 1959 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} The Jaffe family, however, would retain ownership of the land for decades and continue leasing it.{{cite news |last=Berns |first=Dave |title=Tropicana renovation a maybe |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Feb-03-Thu-2000/business/12882653.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 3, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020308095407/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2000/Feb-03-Thu-2000/business/12882653.html |archive-date=March 8, 2002}} The Tropicana prospered throughout the next decade. Houssells sold out in 1968 to Trans-Texas Airways,{{cite news |title=Airline Acquires Big Vegas Hotel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/60327499/ |work=The Bridgeport Post |date=November 1, 1968 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} for $8.7 million,{{cite news |title=Vegas Builder Plans to Buy Tropicana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newsage/1011256835/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=October 18, 1971 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} but remained as manager for a few years.

In the early 1970s, the Tropicana fared poorly from competition with larger, newer hotels like Caesars Palace and the Las Vegas Hilton. During this time, the Tropicana hosted annual fiesta parties to increase gaming revenue, inviting celebrities and high rollers to attend.{{cite news |last=Ripley |first=Anthony |title=Las Vegas Fiesta Pits Patrons Against Gifts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/12/17/archives/las-vagas-fiesta-pits-patrons-against-gifts.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=December 17, 1970}}{{cite news |title=If You Have Ears – Listen to Evangeline |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/132911056/ |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=November 15, 1973 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} Deil Gustafson, a Minnesota financier, bought the resort in 1972.{{cite news|title=Nevada grants city firm betting operation permit|newspaper=Minneapolis Star|date=February 18, 1972|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14925140/nevada_grants_city_firm_betting/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=N.Y. firm takes over Texas airline|newspaper=Minneapolis Star|date=August 30, 1972|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14925164/ny_firm_takes_over_texas_airline/|via=Newspapers.com}} Sammy Davis Jr. also purchased an eight-percent interest, becoming the first black person to own a share in a Strip resort.{{cite news |title=Sammy Davis Buys Share of Tropicana in Las Vegas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/08/30/archives/sammy-davis-buys-share-of-tropicana-in-las-vegas.html |access-date=December 25, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=August 30, 1972}}{{cite news |title=Notes on People |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1973/09/29/archives/john-d-rockefeller-3d-has-high-hopes-for-1976-notes-on-people.html |access-date=December 25, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=September 29, 1973}} Gustafson undertook an expansion plan, but encountered financing difficulties.{{cite news|title=Deadline met|newspaper=Corpus Christi Caller-Times|agency=Associated Press|date=August 5, 1975|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14924975/deadline_met/|via=Newspapers.com}} In 1974, brothers Edward and Fred Doumani took over management on an emergency basis after investing $1 million into the property.{{cite news|title=Michigan developer reported buying interest in Tropicana|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=September 14, 1974|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14925007/michigan_developer_reported_buying/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=Nevada Checking a Casino's Credit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/09/04/archives/nevada-checking-a-casinos-credit-detroit-figures-said-to-plot-to.html |access-date=December 25, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=September 4, 1974}}{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Hotel Man Found Guilty of Tax Fraud |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/10/31/archives/las-vegas-hotel-man-found-guilty-of-tax-fraud.html |access-date=December 25, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=October 31, 1974}}

Mitzi Stauffer Briggs, heir to the Stauffer Chemical fortune, bought a majority interest in the Tropicana in 1975. Briggs said she knew "absolutely nothing about gambling or casinos", but invested in the Tropicana at the suggestion of a friend.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=John L. |title=Heiress was pilfered in doomed Tropicana investment, but kept values |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/heiress-was-pilfered-in-doomed-tropicana-investment-but-kept-values/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 25, 2013}} Many of its top executives were either fired or resigned in 1976, as Briggs sought to make the resort profitable once again. She invested more than $6 million in the property.{{cite news |title=Vegas Hotel Owner Mum On Money Woes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/923193951/ |work=Sun Post |date=April 2, 1976 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} Briggs initially received only a probationary one-year gaming license, due to several business failures in her past.{{cite news |title=Las Vegas' Tropicana Hotel: San Francisco heiress closer to control |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149266585/ |work=Reno Evening Gazette |agency=Associated Press |date=June 9, 1977 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}} She received a full license in July 1977,{{cite news |title=Heiress Receives License To Head Vegas Tropicana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/62877115/ |work=Santa Cruz Sentinel |date=July 22, 1977 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} and began construction of the property's first high-rise structure, the Tiffany Tower,{{cite news |title=Gaming License Gets Nod |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1011818063/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=June 16, 1977 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} which opened two years later. The casino floor was also renovated and expanded.{{cite news |title=Vegas' Tropicana Plans to Expand |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1012160594/ |work=Nevada State Journal |date=July 21, 1978 |access-date=December 31, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}

The Tropicana became the target of a mob skimming operation in 1978.{{cite court|litigants=United States v. Thomas|vol=759|reporter=F.2d|opinion=659|court=8th Cir.|year=1985|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/759/659/259980/|access-date=November 5, 2017}} Joe Agosto, then-owner of the casino's Folies Bergere show, oversaw the siphoning of money from the cashier cage to the Kansas City crime family.{{cite news|title=Testimony details Kansas City underworld's control of a Las Vegas casino|newspaper=The New York Times|author=Wallace Turner|date=June 12, 1983|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/12/us/testimony-details-kansas-city-underworld-s-control-of-a-las-vegas-casino.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=November 5, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Smith |first=John L. |title=Former Tropicana owner still has faith after mob, corporate muggings |url=http://www.lvrj.com/news/40056192.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225140121/http://www.lvrj.com/news/40056192.html |archive-date=February 25, 2009}}{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Video Vault {{!}} Tropicana's Folies Bergere and the mob skim |url=https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault-tropicanas-folies-bergere-and-the-mob-skim |access-date=December 29, 2023 |publisher=KSNV |date=January 20, 2016}} The scheme was exposed in 1979 through "Operation Strawman",{{cite news |title=An FBI tip that a mob figure was marked... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/10/16/An-FBI-tip-that-a-mob-figure-was-marked/3549435124800/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=United Press International |date=October 16, 1983}}{{cite book |last=Bygraves |first=Max |title=Stars in My Eyes: A Life in Show Business |date=2003 |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag |isbn=978-1-86105-672-6 |pages=40–41 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P3BklV6IFssC&pg=PP60 |access-date=December 27, 2023}} an FBI investigation into hidden mob interests in Las Vegas casinos.{{cite news |last=Flagg |first=Tom |title=FBI Affidavits Link Agosto, KC Mob |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1979/may/23/fbi-affidavits-link-agosto-kc-mob/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 23, 1979}}{{cite news|title=Indictments could kill Midwest mob, former FBI agent says|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=October 12, 1983|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14924703/indictments_could_kill_midwest_mob_fbi/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Sam |title=Tropicana at 50 |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2007/apr/01/tropicana-at-50/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 1, 2007}} Due to her inexperience, Briggs had relied on the advice of Agosto, whom she found to be charming. Because they had allowed Agosto to manage the casino without a gaming license, Briggs and Gustafson faced revocation of their own licenses.{{cite news|title=Gustafson allegedly fabricated story on funds|newspaper=Star Tribune|location=Minneapolis, MN|date=July 27, 1979|author1=Doug Stone|author2=Robert J. Hagen|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14924558/star_tribune/|via=Newspapers.com}} They had little choice but to sell the Tropicana. Hotel chain Ramada Inns purchased the business in December 1979, along with a 50% share of the property's real estate that had been owned by the Doumanis.{{cite news|title=Ramada takes over Tropicana|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=December 8, 1979|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14924459/ramada_takes_over_tropicana/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite court|litigants=In re Adamar Casino Application|vol=10|reporter=N.J.A.R.|opinion=581|pinpoint=596|date=November 17, 1982|url=http://njlegallib.rutgers.edu/legallib/njar/v10/p0581.pdf|access-date=November 5, 2017}} Briggs lost an estimated $44 million during her involvement with the Tropicana, and did not receive any of the profits from the Ramada purchase.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=John L. |title=The Ballad of Mitzi Stauffer Briggs, Heiress Who Lost It All in Vegas |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-ballad-of-mitzi-stauffer-briggs-heiress-who-lost-it-all-in-vegas |website=The Daily Beast |access-date=December 26, 2023 |date=September 30, 2013}} The Doumani brothers and Gufstafson later accused Ramada of breaching its contract on the sale, winning a $34 million judgment in 1989.{{cite news |last=Geer |first=Carri |title=Ex-Tropicana owner gets probation in complex federal case |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Feb-18-Thu-1999/news/10634555.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 18, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020225045738/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Feb-18-Thu-1999/news/10634555.html |archive-date=February 25, 2002}}{{cite news |title=Former Tropicana owner Gustafson dies at age of 67 |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/apr/06/former-tropicana-owner-gustafson-dies-at-age-of-67/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 6, 1999}}

Gustafson was convicted in 1983 over a check kiting scheme involving the Tropicana,{{cite news |title=Banker Deil O. Gustafson, former part-owner of Las Vegas'... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/04/27/Banker-Deil-O-Gustafson-former-part-owner-of-Las-Vegas/3199420264000/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=United Press International |date=April 27, 1983}}{{cite news |last=Delugach |first=Al |title=Tapes Playing Pivotal Role in Casino Skimming Trial |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-10-28-mn-11669-story.html |access-date=December 25, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 28, 1985}} and served 40 months in prison. In 1995, he was also charged with bankruptcy fraud relating to the Tropicana's 1979 sale. He, in turn, named the Doumani brothers and two others involved in a scheme with him to divert money from the 1989 judgment; these four individuals were charged as well. Federal officials alleged that the diverted money had wound up in the possession of mobsters. Gustafson pled guilty and agreed to testify against the others. One defendant was dismissed because of lack of evidence, and the others were found not guilty in a 1998 trial.Retrieved December 27, 2023:

• {{cite news |last=German |first=Jeff |title=Doumani brothers will be back in the headlines in 1998 |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1997/dec/23/columnist-jeff-german-doumani-brothers-will-be-bac/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 23, 1997}}
• {{cite news |last=Gang |first=Bill |title=Tropicana's former landlord suing over '60 Minutes' segment |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/mar/26/tropicanas-former-landlord-suing-over-60-minutes-s/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 26, 1998}}
• {{cite news |title=Case involving Tropicana's 1979 sale goes to trial |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/apr/09/case-involving-tropicanas-1979-sale-goes-to-trial/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 9, 1998}}
• {{cite news |title=Government witnesses details alleged scam |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/apr/14/government-witnesses-details-alleged-scam/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 14, 1998}}
• {{cite news |last=Gang |first=Bill |title=Trial probing old mob ties to Tropicana winding down |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/may/06/trial-probing-old-mob-ties-to-tropicana-winding-do/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 6, 1998}}
• {{cite news |last=Gang |first=Bill |title=Former Tropicana landlords not guilty of bankruptcy fraud |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/may/13/former-tropicana-landlords-not-guilty-of-bankruptc/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 13, 1998}}

File:Tropicana Las Vegas, pool and garden.JPG

Amid the early 1980s recession, Ramada began targeting a middle-class clientele for the Tropicana, which had lost the luxury prominence it once had. In 1986, the resort completed a $70 million expansion which included a second high-rise, the Island Tower. The project also introduced a five-acre pool area of man-made lagoons, waterfalls and islands, accompanied by floating blackjack tables. The property began marketing itself as the "Island of Las Vegas".{{cite news |last=Morrison |first=Jane Ann |title=Tropical look for the Tropicana |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropical%20look%20for%20the%20Tropicana%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 4, 1984 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana expansion completed |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20expansion%20completed%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 14, 1986 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

File:Las Vegas,Nevada.USA. - panoramio (16).jpg

Ramada spun off its gaming properties, including the Tropicana, in 1989 as Aztar Corporation.{{cite news |title=Ramada Closes Hotel Sale |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-21-fi-1052-story.html |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 21, 1989}} By the late 1990s, the Tropicana was largely seen as an aging, under-performing property in contrast to newer resorts on the Strip.{{cite news |title=Buyout could lead to rebuilding of the Tropicana |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/feb/03/buyout-could-lead-to-rebuilding-of-the-tropicana/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 3, 1998}}

In 1998, Aztar bought an option to acquire the 50% interest held by the Jaffe family, which would make future renovations easier to implement.{{cite news |last=Berns |first=Dave |title=Aztar buys option for Tropicana |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Feb-04-Wed-1998/business/6891211.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 4, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990922140049/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1998/Feb-04-Wed-1998/business/6891211.html |archive-date=September 22, 1999}} Aztar, however, held off its buyout for several years to assess whether Las Vegas had been overbuilt with new hotels. The company eventually consolidated ownership of the Tropicana in 2002, buying the half interest in the land and buildings from the Jaffe family for $117.5 million.{{cite news|title=Aztar completes Tropicana buyout|newspaper=Phoenix Business Journal|date=March 5, 2002|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2002/03/04/daily32.html|access-date=November 6, 2017}} The sale opened up the possibility of redeveloping the Tropicana site.{{cite news |last=Strow |first=David |title=Tropicana looking at LV options to expand |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/jan/30/tropicana-looking-at-lv-options-to-expand/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 30, 2002}}

In 2003, Aztar unveiled potential plans for a $500 million expansion. The project would replace the northern half of the existing Tropicana facilities, adding additional rooms and timeshares.{{cite news |title=Tropicana unveils $500 mil. proposal |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/jun/19/tropicana-unveils-500-mil-proposal/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 19, 2003}}{{cite news |last=Benston |first=Liz |title=County approves three resort projects |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/sep/04/county-approves-three-resort-projects/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=September 4, 2003}} A decision about whether to proceed with these plans was expected in early 2004, but was pushed back by Aztar to focus on an expansion at its other Tropicana resort, located in Atlantic City.{{cite news |last=Benston |first=Liz |title=Aztar Corp. remains bullish on LV Tropicana redevelopment plan |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/feb/12/aztar-corp-remains-bullish-on-lv-tropicana-redevel/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 12, 2004}} Following the latter's completion, Aztar would continue to put off its Las Vegas redevelopment plans to further evaluate the best use of the land.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Chris |title=Tropicana owner mum about plans |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Feb-03-Thu-2005/business/25790765.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 3, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051213174619/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Feb-03-Thu-2005/business/25790765.html |archive-date=December 13, 2005}}{{cite news |last=McKee |first=David |title=How long will old resorts last? |url=http://www.lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2006/01/23/news/news01.txt |work=Las Vegas Business Press |date=January 23, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427014005/http://www.lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2006/01/23/news/news01.txt |archive-date=April 27, 2006}}

In 2006, Aztar unveiled new plans to demolish the Tropicana and build a $1.2 billion casino resort.{{cite news |title=New Resort May Replace Tropicana |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-feb-17-fi-vegas17-story.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 17, 2006}} Gaming analysts viewed the redevelopment plans as a certainty; Aztar had already hired Marnell Corrao Associates to manage construction, and sought bank financing to fund the project.{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Time for 'Ta-ta, Tropicana'? |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-16-Thu-2006/business/5909270.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219055804/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Feb-16-Thu-2006/business/5909270.html |archive-date=February 19, 2006}} However, a bidding war soon began for Aztar, with Ameristar Casinos, Columbia Sussex, and Pinnacle Entertainment competing to buy the company.{{cite news |last=McKee |first=David |title=A tale of two Strip casinos |url=http://www.lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2006/04/24/news/news01.txt |work=Las Vegas Business Press |date=April 24, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428081413/http://www.lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2006/04/24/news/news01.txt |archive-date=April 28, 2006}}{{cite news |title=Bid From Ameristar Is Better, Aztar Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/26/business/bid-from-ameristar-is-better-aztar-says.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=April 26, 2006}} Aztar was desired for its ownership of the Tropicana, which presented ample redevelopment opportunities. Columbia Sussex ultimately prevailed,{{cite news |title=Tropicana Casino's Owner Being Bought for $2 Billion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/20/business/20casino.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=May 20, 2006}} finalizing its purchase in January 2007.{{cite news |title=Tropicana May Emerge from Bankruptcy This Spring |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/tropicana-may-emerge-from-bankruptcy-this-spring/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=March 25, 2009}}

Columbia Sussex planned to renovate the Tropicana as part of a $2 billion expansion project, adding five new towers for more than 8,000 rooms.{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Tropicana staying put |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com:80/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-02-Thu-2006/business/10578104.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 2, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107152635/http://www.reviewjournal.com:80/lvrj_home/2006/Nov-02-Thu-2006/business/10578104.html |archive-date=January 7, 2007}} However, this project was delayed due to the 2008 financial crisis,{{cite news |title=Tropicana makeover on hold for now |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tropicana-makeover-on-hold-for-now/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 17, 2007}} and it later became moot when Columbia Sussex's gaming arm filed for bankruptcy in 2008. The Tropicana, which had a $440 million secured loan against it,{{cite news|title=Tropicana Entertainment files bankruptcy| newspaper=Casino City Times|first=Arnold|last=Knightly|date=May 6, 2008|url=http://www.casinocitytimes.com/article/tropicana-entertainment-files-bankruptcy-57017}}{{cite news |last=Green |first=Steve |title=Tropicana creditors want Vegas property split from company |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/24/tropicana-distributing-ballots-chapter-11-plan/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 24, 2009}} was bought from the bankrupt company in July 2009 by its creditors, led by Canadian private equity firm Onex Corporation and former MGM Mirage CEO Alex Yemenidjian, who took over as the Tropicana's CEO.{{cite news |last=Green |first=Steve |title=Equity firm plans to take over Tropicana |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/15/equity-firm-plans-take-over-tropicana/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 15, 2009}}{{cite news |last=Knightly |first=Arnold M. |title=New Trop owner vows return to glory |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/new-trop-owner-vows-return-to-glory/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 2, 2009}}{{cite news|title=Onex takes control of Las Vegas landmark|date=July 3, 2009|newspaper=Toronto Star|author=Madhavi Acharya-Tom Yew |url=https://www.thestar.com/Business/article/660149 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705192434/https://www.thestar.com/Business/article/660149 |archive-date=July 5, 2009}}

The remainder of Columbia Sussex's gaming business, reorganized under new ownership as Tropicana Entertainment Inc., promptly sued the Las Vegas property, demanding royalties for use of the Tropicana name. The case was eventually settled, with the Tropicana Las Vegas receiving exclusive rights to use the name in the Las Vegas region, royalty-free.{{cite news |last=Green |first=Steve |title=Tropicana in two courts to keep 'Tropicana' name free |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/21/tropicana-two-courts-keep-tropicana-name-free/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 21, 2009}}{{cite news|title=Strip resort, Carl Icahn company settle dispute over 'Tropicana' use|first=Steve|last=Green|newspaper=Vegas Inc| url=http://www.vegasinc.com/news/2011/aug/16/strips-tropicana-carl-icahn-company-settle-dispute/|date=August 16, 2011}}

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| footer = The original tower, seen before and after the 2010 renovation

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Amid the Great Recession, the Tropicana emphasized its cheap amenities to attract a value-conscious demographic.{{cite news |last=Finnegan |first=Amanda |title=Tropicana hires branding firm to focus on value |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/03/tropicana-hires-branding-firm-focus-value/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 3, 2009}} After taking over the Tropicana, Yemenidjian sought to update the property and transform it into a middle-class resort: "We're not interested in the very low end because there's no margin in that business. And we're not interested in the very high end because those customers have different expectations. The most successful properties in Las Vegas are both aspirational and accessible as opposed to those targeting a narrow market."{{cite news |last=Benston |first=Liz |title=Tropicana not the tired, old lady on the Strip anymore |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/oct/30/tropicana-not-tired-old-lady-strip-anymore/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 30, 2010}}

Renovations began in August 2009,{{cite news |first=Arnold M. |last= Knightly |title= The Strip: Historic Tropicana poised for pricey renovation |url=http://www.lvrj.com/business/53343157.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date= August 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819055116/http://www.lvrj.com/business/53343157.html |archive-date=August 19, 2009}} and cost $180 million.{{cite news |title=South Beach on the Strip |url=https://www.latimes.com/shopping/la-mkt-vegas-tropicana-06022011-story.html |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 2, 2011}} It marked the Tropicana's first major remodel in nearly 25 years, and added a South Beach theme to the property.{{cite news |last=Finnegan |first=Amanda |title=Tropicana 'changing everything' in favor of new South Beach vibe |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/may/19/tropicana-scubs-away-history-new/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 19, 2010}}{{cite web |last=Hodge |first=Damon |title=Tropicana renovation: South Beach vibe on the Strip |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Tropicana-renovation-South-Beach-vibe-on-the-Strip |website=Travel Weekly |access-date=December 30, 2023 |date=July 15, 2010}} Room renovations were completed in 2010, and work on the casino floor was expected to conclude by the end of the year.{{cite news |last=Finnegan |first=Amanda |title=Tropicana says renovations show signs of paying off |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/aug/19/tropicana-says-renovations-show-signs-paying/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 19, 2010}}{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Board suggests licensing approval for Tropicana owner |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/nov/03/board-suggests-licensing-approval-tropicana-owner/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 3, 2010}}

In August 2015, Penn National Gaming purchased the Tropicana for $360 million,{{cite news|title=Penn National to buy Tropicana for $360 million|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Kimberly De La Cruz|date=April 29, 2015|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/penn-national-buy-tropicana-360-million|access-date=April 29, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Purchase of Tropicana Las Vegas keeps alive Rat Pack-era name |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/business-columns/inside-gaming/purchase-of-tropicana-las-vegas-keeps-alive-rat-pack-era-name/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 20, 2015}} marking its first resort on the Strip.{{cite news |title=Tropicana Vegas to be sold for $360M |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/gaming/2015/04/29/tropicana-vegas-sold/26565649/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=USA Today |date=April 29, 2015}} During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn faced the prospect of financial issues brought on by resort closures. As a result, Penn sold the land occupied by the Tropicana to its spin-off company, Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. (GLPI).{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Penn Gaming to furlough 26K workers, selling Tropicana real estate |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/penn-gaming-to-furlough-26k-workers-selling-tropicana-real-estate-1992981/ |access-date=April 22, 2020 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 27, 2020}} The land sold for $337.5 million in rent credits, and the sale was finalized in April 2020. Penn would continue to operate the Tropicana for another two years, or until the resort was sold.{{cite news |last=Schulz |first=Bailey |title=Penn finalizes sale of Tropicana real estate on Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/penn-finalizes-sale-of-tropicana-real-estate-on-las-vegas-strip-2010649/ |access-date=April 21, 2020 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 20, 2020}}

In April 2021, Bally's Corporation agreed to purchase the Tropicana,{{cite news |title=Bally's buys Tropicana hotel on Las Vegas Strip for $308M |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/04/13/ballys-buying-tropicana-hotel-on-las-vegas-strip-for-308m/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Boston Herald|agency=Associated Press |date=April 13, 2021}} a deal that was finalized in September 2022. Bally's bought the non-land assets of the resort from GLPI and Penn for $148 million, and leased the land from GLPI for annual rent of $10.5 million.{{cite news |last=Segall |first=Eli |title=Tropicana officially under new ownership |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-officially-under-new-ownership-2647121/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 28, 2022}} Plans were soon made to replace the Tropicana with a baseball stadium and a new casino resort.

The Tropicana's original hotel wings from 1957 were closed, without fanfare, in mid-November 2023. They were the oldest resort rooms on the Strip.{{cite web |last=Levitan |first=Corey |title=Oldest Rooms on Las Vegas Strip Permanently Closed Since November |url=https://www.casino.org/news/oldest-rooms-on-las-vegas-strip-permanently-closed-since-november/ |website=Casino.org |access-date=December 29, 2023 |date=December 28, 2023}} The rest of the Tropicana ceased operations on April 2, 2024; the casino floor closed at 3:00 a.m., followed by the remainder of the property at 12:00 p.m.{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Indy Gaming: Saying farewell to one of the Strip's last Rat Pack-era resorts |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/indy-gaming-saying-farewell-to-one-of-the-strips-last-rat-pack-era-resorts |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=The Nevada Independent |date=April 3, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Tropicana on Las Vegas Strip gets final sendoff from workers and players |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-on-las-vegas-strip-gets-final-sendoff-from-workers-and-players-photos-3027096/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 2, 2024}} At the time of its closure, the Tropicana had 700 workers,{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Coming to Tropicana: A 10-foot 'demolition wall' as closure nears |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/coming-to-tropicana-a-10-foot-demolition-wall-as-closure-nears-3021254/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 21, 2024}} some of whom had been with the property for decades.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title='Like a second home': Longtime Tropicana workers say leaving will be bittersweet |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/like-a-second-home-longtime-tropicana-workers-say-leaving-will-be-bittersweet-3025567/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 29, 2024}}

File:The Neon Museum (35559937912).jpg, 2017]]

Prior to closing, Bally's chairman Soo Kim said, "The Trop is obviously iconic, but it is, really, in a lot of ways, economically obsolete. It literally is part of the glitz and glamour of Vegas, but it hasn't been that for decades."{{cite news |last=Albeck-Ripka |first=Livia |title=The Tropicana, a Relic on the Las Vegas Strip, Could Be Demolished |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/19/us/vegas-tropicana-casino-closing.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=June 19, 2023}} Katie Dowd of SFGate wrote that "decades of decay have already destroyed what's left of the world-famous Tropicana".{{cite news |last=Dowd |first=Katie |title=The last days of a Las Vegas icon |url=https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/last-days-of-the-tropicana-18656872.php |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=March 24, 2024}} Michael Green, a history professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), noted that, "Hotels built in the 1950s were not designed for the 2020s". He partly attributed the Tropicana's decline to the numerous ownership changes in its later years, which "meant different approaches, different plans. Then it was surrounded by these megaresorts. And in a sense, it tried to have its own niche by not being one of them and having amenities – but not the amenities to the degree the others did."{{cite news |last=Schulz |first=Bailey |title=Iconic Tropicana Las Vegas resort closing to make room for new stadium |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/las-vegas/2024/04/02/tropicana-las-vegas-close-resort-casino/73172939007/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=April 2, 2024}} Despite its age, the Tropicana was profitable at the time of its closure.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Tropicana was profitable right up until it closed, landowner says |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-was-profitable-right-up-until-it-closed-landowner-says-3040901/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 26, 2024}}

A liquidation sale began not long after the property's closure,{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=Want a piece of history? Items from the Tropicana are for sale |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/want-a-piece-of-history-items-from-the-tropicana-are-for-sale-3026743/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 2, 2024}} lasting about two months.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=What does Bally's have to do before a possible Tropicana implosion? |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/what-does-ballys-have-to-do-before-a-possible-tropicana-implosion-3072077/ |access-date=June 20, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 20, 2024}} It included entire furnished suites,[https://www.casino.org/news/tropicana-las-vegas-selling-off-entire-rooms-before-implosion/ Tropicana Las Vegas Selling Off Entire Furnished Suites Before Implosion] as well as various items from the casino floor.{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=McKenna |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/fill-a-truck-for-100-at-tropicana-liquidation-sale-3055696/|title=Fill a truck for $100 at Tropicana liquidation sale|access-date=June 20, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 22, 2024}} Most of the gaming equipment was transferred to other Bally's properties.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Preservation of Tropicana artifacts begins with sign lighting |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/preservation-of-tropicana-artifacts-begins-with-sign-lighting-3028802/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 4, 2024}} Some items and memorabilia will be donated to local organizations, including UNLV and the Neon Museum;{{cite news |last=Seeman |first=Matthew |title=Tropicana Las Vegas teams up with community groups to preserve history ahead of closure |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/tropicana-las-vegas-working-on-item-preservation-ahead-of-closure-neon-museum-unlv-showgirls-southern-nevada |access-date=April 19, 2024 |publisher=KSNV |date=March 25, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Flynn |first=Sheila |title=Las Vegas is betting on sports. The Tropicana hotel, home of the showgirls, is a victim of the new era |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/tropicana-vegas-hotel-closing-history-b2525209.html |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=The Independent |date=April 14, 2024}} the latter had already acquired a former Tropicana neon sign years earlier.{{cite news |last=Ketcham |first=Ryan |title=Owner of Tropicana during 1970s reminisces about hotel's glory days |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/owner-of-tropicana-during-1970s-reminisces-about-hotels-glory-days |access-date=April 19, 2024 |publisher=KTNV |date=April 3, 2024}}

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}}

Demolition got underway within a month of the property's closure.{{cite news |last=Matthey |first=Ryan |title=Tropicana Las Vegas begins deconstruction, asbestos remains on the inside |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/tropicana-las-vegas-begins-deconstruction-asbestos-remains-on-the-inside/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |publisher=KLAS |date=May 2, 2024}} Several hotel structures contained asbestos, which had to be removed prior to demolition.{{cite news |last=Horwath |first=Bryan |title=Before Tropicana drops, asbestos will need to come out |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/before-tropicana-drops-asbestos-will-need-to-come-out |access-date=April 19, 2024 |publisher=KTNV |date=April 16, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Schultz |first=Jaclyn |title=Exclusive inside look at Tropicana teardown from Laborers union |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/04/12/exclusive-inside-look-tropicana-teardown-laborers-union/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |publisher=KVVU |date=April 11, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Tisminezky |first=Ryan |title=Tropicana Las Vegas receives implosion permit, asbestos abatement complete |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/tropicana-las-vegas-receives-implosion-permit-asbestos-abatement-complete/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |work=KLAS |date=September 24, 2024}} Most of the asbestos had already been removed during renovations and expansions that had taken place over the years. Miller Environmental Inc. removed the remainder and then demolished the low-rise buildings,{{cite web |title=Iconic Hotel Being Demolished to Make Way for Baseball Stadium |url=https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/iconic-hotel-being-demolished-to-make-way-for-baseball-stadium/65868 |website=Construction Equipment Guide |access-date=October 14, 2024 |date=September 18, 2024}} leaving the towers as the last structures on the site.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=Tropicana operators take the next step toward implosion |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-operators-take-the-next-step-toward-implosion-3088896/ |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 11, 2024}} Miller and GGG Demolition Inc. gutted the buildings to prepare them for implosion, removing plaster and drywall to minimize dust.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Shannon |title=Time to say goodbye to Tropicana Las Vegas, set for implosion this week |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2024/oct/03/time-to-say-goodbye-to-tropicana-las-vegas/ |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=October 3, 2024}}

The towers were imploded on October 9, 2024,{{cite news |last=Schulz |first=Bailey |title=Tropicana implosion in Las Vegas: After 67 years, Rat Pack-era Strip resort falls |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/10/09/tropicana-hotel-casino-implosion-las-vegas/75347373007/ |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=October 9, 2024}} at 2:37 a.m.{{cite news |title=Tropicana hotel implosion marks the end of an era on the Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.ksby.com/us-news/tropicana-hotel-implosion-marks-the-end-of-an-era-on-the-las-vegas-strip |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=KSBY |date=October 9, 2024}} Demolition was preceded by a ceremony featuring LED and pyrotechnic aerial drones, as well as fireworks from Fireworks by Grucci.{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Tropicana implosion date set, to feature fireworks, drone show |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-implosion-date-set-to-feature-fireworks-drone-show-3147469/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 26, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Schaeffer |first=James |title=Las Vegas casino implosion show will include 150 'Pyrodrones' 400 feet above the Tropicana |url=https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/las-vegas-casino-implosion-show-will-include-150-pyrodrones-400-feet-above-the-tropicana/ |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=KTLA |date=October 5, 2024}} The aerial show took approximately five months to plan, with a crew of nearly 100 people on-site to execute it.{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Tropicana implosion paves the way for new era in Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/tropicana-implosion-watch-live-here-at-2-a-m-3185880/ |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 9, 2024}} The towers were imploded by Controlled Demolition, Inc., which has handled Las Vegas implosions for decades.{{cite news |last=Matthey |first=Ryan |title=Tropicana Las Vegas set for implosion, demo company says |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/tropicana-las-vegas-set-for-implosion-demo-company-says/ |access-date=April 7, 2024 |publisher=KLAS |date=April 4, 2024}}

The towers were built differently and thus required separate approaches.{{cite news |last=Ketcham |first=Ryan |title=Explosives placed and goodbyes said: Las Vegas readies for Tropicana implosion |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/explosives-placed-and-goodbyes-said-las-vegas-readies-for-tropicana-implosion |access-date=October 9, 2024 |work=KTNV |date=October 8, 2024}} The original 1979 structure was built with a steel frame, which took 490 pounds of explosives to bring down. The 1986 tower consisted of reinforced concrete and required 1,700 pounds of explosives.{{cite news |last=Schaeffer |first=James |title=Tropicana Las Vegas implosion calls for two different approaches |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/tropicana-las-vegas-implosion-calls-for-two-different-approaches/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |work=KLAS |date=September 26, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Drop the Trop: 555 drones, 2,100 pounds of explosives highlight implosion |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/drop-the-trop-555-drones-2100-pounds-of-explosives-highlight-implosion-3176812/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 25, 2024}} Approximately 98 percent of the implosion debris is expected to be recycled, with cleanup of the site taking three to four months.{{cite news |last=Ketcham |first=Ryan |title=Here's what will happen to the Tropicana debris following its implosion |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/heres-what-will-happen-to-the-tropicana-debris-following-its-implosion |access-date=October 18, 2024 |work=KTNV |date=October 10, 2024}} The Tropicana marked the first Strip implosion since the Riviera in 2016.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=Tropicana fans spend bittersweet last weekend at 66-year-old hotel |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-fans-spend-bittersweet-last-weekend-at-66-year-old-hotel-3026323/ |access-date=April 19, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 31, 2024}}

{{main|New Las Vegas Stadium}}

The Oakland Athletics, a Major League Baseball team, began considering a Las Vegas relocation in 2021, with the Tropicana property as a potential site for a new stadium.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=New owner of Tropicana tuned in to sports, including baseball |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/business-columns/inside-gaming/new-owner-of-tropicana-tuned-in-to-sports-including-baseball-2371741/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 5, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Oakland A's submit bid to build stadium at the Tropicana in Las Vegas |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/12/01/oakland-as-submit-bid-to-build-stadium-at-the-tropicana-in-las-vegas.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |publisher=CNBC |date=December 1, 2021}} In May 2023, after more than a year of negotiations,{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=A's appear to be down to 1 potential Las Vegas ballpark site |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/as-appear-to-be-down-to-1-potential-las-vegas-ballpark-site-2709916/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 10, 2023}} the Oakland A's reached an agreement with Bally's and GLPI to demolish the Tropicana for redevelopment. The stadium will occupy nine acres.{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=A's reach formal Vegas baseball stadium agreement with Bally's, GLPI |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/as-reach-formal-vegas-baseball-stadium-agreement-with-ballys-glpi |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=The Nevada Independent |date=May 15, 2023}}

The stadium is expected to cost $1.5 billion, and a public financing package for up to $380 million was approved by the state in June 2023.{{Cite web|date=June 15, 2023|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/lombardo-signs-as-baseball-stadium-funding-bill-relocation-hurdles-remain|title=Lombardo signs A's baseball stadium funding bill; relocation hurdles remain|website=The Nevada Independent|language=en-US}} Five months later, the Oakland A's relocation to Las Vegas was approved by the MLB. Construction of the stadium is scheduled to begin in April 2025,{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Bally's losing employees at Tropicana as it awaits A's next move on stadium |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/ballys-losing-employees-at-tropicana-as-it-awaits-as-next-move-on-stadium-2932147/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 1, 2023}} with completion in January 2028.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=A's stadium project moving at 'very, very fast pace,' Trop land owner says |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/as-stadium-project-moving-at-very-very-fast-pace-trop-land-owner-says-2878778/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 28, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=A's Las Vegas ballpark construction timeline revealed |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/as-las-vegas-ballpark-construction-timeline-revealed-2928272/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 27, 2023}}

The stadium is expected to occupy {{convert|9|acres|abbr=on}} of the {{convert|35|acre|abbr=on|sing=on}} site, with another {{convert|15|acre|abbr=on}}{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=A's Las Vegas ballpark may be flanked by Bally's towers |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/preliminary-plans-revealed-for-ballys-hotel-and-casino-near-athletics-stadium-3191147/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 17, 2024}} being used for a new Bally's Las Vegas resort.{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title='A great asset': A's move to Las Vegas approved; Strip ballpark on horizon |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/a-great-asset-as-move-to-las-vegas-approved-strip-ballpark-on-horizon-2940262/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 16, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=What we know about the Tropicana closure, including the fate of its name |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/what-we-know-about-the-tropicana-closure-including-the-fate-of-its-name-3012520/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 6, 2024}} The remaining {{convert|11|acre|abbr=on}} would be shared between the stadium and the resort. The original Bally's Las Vegas, also on the Strip, was rebranded as Horseshoe Las Vegas in 2022. This occurred after the name rights were sold to Bally's Corporation, known prior to that point as Twin River Worldwide Holdings.{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Get ready for Las Vegas Strip transformations at Bally's and the Tropicana |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2022/apr/07/vegas-strip-transformations-ballys-tropicana/ |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=April 7, 2022}} After acquiring the rights, the company had plans to rename the Tropicana as a Bally's property, although this did not pan out.{{cite news |last=Segall |first=Eli |title=Tropicana resort could be in for some major changes |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-resort-could-be-in-for-some-big-changes-2519667/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 27, 2022}}

Bally's had more than $3 billion in long-term debt as of April 2024.{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Investors suggest debt-saddled Bally's sell its ownership in closed Tropicana |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/investors-suggest-debt-saddled-ballys-sell-its-ownership-in-closed-tropicana |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=The Nevada Independent |date=April 3, 2024}} At that time, the company stated there was no rush to build a new resort on the Tropicana site, instead focusing on other gaming projects, including Bally's Chicago and a possible New York property.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=No rush to build new resort attached to A's ballpark, Bally's says |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/no-rush-to-build-new-resort-attached-to-as-ballpark-ballys-says-3043595/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 1, 2024}} Bally's said work on the Las Vegas resort could begin some time during the stadium's construction or at a later point following the latter's completion. The company was also open to partnering with another resort operator to begin the project sooner.{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Exact A's ballpark location unknown; Bally's may seek partner on new resort |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/exact-as-ballpark-location-in-air-ballys-open-to-partnering-on-new-resort-3046689/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 7, 2024}} It has been suggested that the Las Vegas resort could be developed similarly to Bally's property in Chicago.{{cite web |last=Shriber |first=Todd |title=Bally's Chicago Deal Could Be Playbook for Tropicana Las Vegas |url=https://www.casino.org/news/ballys-chicago-deal-could-be-playbook-for-tropicana-las-vegas/ |website=Casino.org |access-date=July 20, 2024 |date=July 16, 2024}}

As demolition concluded on the Tropicana, Bally's was in the early stages of planning for its replacement, an integrated resort with 3,005 rooms, a {{convert|90000|sqft|abbr=on}} casino, and {{convert|110000|sqft|abbr=on}} of convention space. The hotel would consist of three towers, each standing 459 feet, to be built in phases.{{cite news |title=New renderings released of A's ballpark, Bally's Resort on Las Vegas Strip |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/10/17/new-renderings-released-ballpark-ballys-resort-las-vegas-strip/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |work=KVVU |date=October 17, 2024}}[https://www.archpaper.com/2024/10/ballys-plan-oakland-as-las-vegas-stadium/ Bally’s has a plan to surround BIG-designed Oakland A's Las Vegas stadium with hotel and casino towers] Bally's stated that it hoped to finish phase-one in time to coincide with the opening of the stadium, with construction taking approximately two years.{{cite news |last=Akers |first=Mick |title=Bally's aims to open hotel, casino at same time as A's Las Vegas ballpark |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/ballys-aims-to-open-hotel-casino-at-same-time-as-as-las-vegas-ballpark-3194203/ |access-date=October 23, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 22, 2024}}

Several bomb incidents occurred at Strip resorts in 1984, amid a labor dispute with local trade unions. The Tropicana was among those targeted, with an early morning blast damaging nine vehicles in its front parking lot.{{cite news |last=Borders |first=Myram |title=Bomb explodes outside Tropicana |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/05/27/Bomb-explodes-outside-Tropicana/4491454478400/ |access-date=December 25, 2023 |work=United Press International |date=May 27, 1984}} The casino's main show, Folies Bergere, was also closed for 11 weeks due to the dispute.{{cite news |last=Borders |first=Myram |title=Strike ends on Las Vegas 'strip' |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/06/15/Strike-ends-on-Las-Vegas-strip/9249456120000/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=United Press International |date=June 15, 1984}}

Folies Bergere closed again in 1989, when its 14-crew musician team went on strike. The crew was represented by the American Federation of Musicians, and walked off the job after their contract expired without a deal for renewal. The closure of Folies Bergere affected 170 other workers involved in the show. It soon reopened with the use of taped music in place of live musicians, a practice that the union had opposed. The crew was ultimately fired, saving the Tropicana $600,000 in yearly salaries. The musician strike also affected several other resorts on the Strip.{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |title=Stage |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-05-ca-1197-story.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 5, 1989}}{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Bob |title=Facing the Music: As Vegas Hotel Turns to Tape, Band Players March Picket Line |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-07-mn-3252-story.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 7, 1989}}{{cite news |title=Las Vegas Musicians Still Walk the Beat: 11-Week Strike to Retain Live Music 'Just Keeps Dragging On' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-19-ca-471-story.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 19, 1989}} After seven months, the strike ended in 1990 with a new contract agreement.{{cite news |last=Baker |first=Bob |title=Musicians Set to End Vegas Strike |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-23-mn-598-story.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 23, 1990}}{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Tom |title=Video Vault {{!}} Corporate Las Vegas' gain was union musicians' loss |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/video-vault-corporate-las-vegas-gain-was-union-musicians-loss |access-date=December 30, 2023 |publisher=KSNV |date=April 13, 2016}}

In 2001, table game dealers at the Tropicana voted to be represented by the Transport Workers Union, which later accused the casino of targeting its supporters.{{cite news |title=Tropicana, dealers at odds over union contract |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2001/nov/08/tropicana-dealers-at-odds-over-union-contract/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 6, 2001}} The union's representation was decertified in 2002; of 147 dealers, 98 voted to decertify, while 38 voted in support of the union.{{cite news |title=Tropicana dealer seeks decertification of union |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/may/10/tropicana-dealer-seeks-decertification-of-union/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 10, 2002}}{{cite news |last=Benston |first=Liz |title=Tropicana dealers vote to drop TWU |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/jul/16/tropicana-dealers-vote-to-drop-twu/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 16, 2002}}

The overall workforce at the Tropicana was represented by the Culinary Workers Union.{{cite news |last=Leong |first=Grace |title=Tropicana, union reach agreement on contract |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/jun/26/tropicana-union-reach-agreement-on-contract/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=June 26, 2003}}{{cite news |last=Benston |first=Liz |title=Culinary Union reaches tentative pact with Tropicana |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/20/culinary-union-resumes-talks-tropican/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 20, 2008}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana reaches labor deal with Culinary, bartenders unions |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2014/mar/06/tropicana-reaches-labor-deal-culinary-bartenders-u/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |agency=Associated Press |date=March 6, 2014}} Bill Yung, the founder and chief executive of Columbia Sussex, was opposed to union representation.{{cite news |last=McCloskey |first=Megan |title=New blood helped Tropicana, union heal old wounds |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/27/new-blood-helped-tropicana-union-heal-old-wounds/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 27, 2008}} When his company took over the Tropicana in 2007, it laid off more than 500 workers, including 300 Culinary members. Columbia Sussex also sought givebacks from the union during negotiations for a contract renewal.{{cite news |last=Mishak |first=Michael |title=Tropicana wants to change benefits union sees as sacred |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2007/sep/09/tropicana-wants-to-change-benefits-union-sees-as-s/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=September 9, 2007}} Talks between the two sides eventually became bitter and prolonged.{{cite news |last1=Benston |first1=Liz |last2=Mishak |first2=Michael |title=Tenser and tenser as Trop and workers negotiate |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/05/tenser-and-tenser-trop-and-workers-negotiate/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 5, 2008}}{{cite news |last=Mishak |first=Michael |title=Culinary, Tropicana are talking — but slowly, not about the big issues |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/06/culinary-tropicana-are-talking-slowly-not-about-bi/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 6, 2008}} In 2008, Yung was replaced by Scott Butera, who worked to negotiate a new contract with Culinary.

The Tropicana occupied {{convert|35|acre|abbr=on}},{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Tropicana won't change hands anytime soon, Penn-affiliated REIT says |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/tropicana-wont-change-hands-anytime-soon-penn-affiliated-reit-says-2085272/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 31, 2020}} located at the southeast corner of the Tropicana – Las Vegas Boulevard intersection.{{cite web |title=Neon Survey: Sunset to Sahara |url=https://gaming.unlv.edu/v_museum/neon_survey/surveys/tropicana.html |website=University of Nevada, Las Vegas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618000739/https://gaming.unlv.edu/v_museum/neon_survey/surveys/tropicana.html |archive-date=June 18, 2021}} Tropicana Avenue was originally known as Bond Road, and took on its current name in 1961, at the request of the Tropicana.{{cite news |title=Strip Hotels Seek Street Name Changes |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Strip%20Hotels%20Seek%20Street%20Name%20Changes%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 17, 1961 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Two Strip Hotels Win Road Name Change Fight |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Two%20Strip%20Hotels%20Win%20Road%20Name%20Change%20Fight%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 7, 1961 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

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| footer = Stained-glass ceiling before and after the 2010 renovation

}}

In its final years, the casino floor measured {{convert|44570|sqft|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|title=Listing of Financial Statements Square Footage (2017 data)|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=Nevada Gaming Control Board|access-date=December 27, 2023|page=10|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232017/https://gaming.nv.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3428|url-status=dead}} It included 600 slot machines and 19 table games.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Say goodbye to the Tropicana. Here's what happens before doors lock |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/say-goodbye-to-the-tropicana-heres-what-happens-before-doors-lock-3024888/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 28, 2024}} A section of the casino floor featured a stained-glass ceiling that covered {{convert|4250|sqft|abbr=on}}.{{cite news |last=Townsend Rodgers |first=Lissa |title=The Tropicana's Stained Glass Ceiling Is a Masterpiece |url=http://vegasseven.com/2017/03/30/tropicanas-stained-glass-ceiling-masterpiece/ |work=Vegas Seven |date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404050728/http://vegasseven.com/2017/03/30/tropicanas-stained-glass-ceiling-masterpiece/ |archive-date=April 4, 2017}}{{cite news |title=Question of the Day |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/tropicana-stained-glass-dome/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Advisor |date=July 13, 2023}} It was designed by Tony DeVroudes and created by Judson Studios,{{cite news |title=Judson Stained Glass Studios began 88 years ago in LA |url=https://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520373.pdf |access-date=April 3, 2024 |work=Highland Park Journal |date=March 3, 1984}}{{cite news |last=Schaeffer |first=James |title=Las Vegas artist wants $4M artwork saved from implosion |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-artist-wants-4m-artwork-saved-from-implosion/ |access-date=April 3, 2024 |publisher=KLAS |date=March 4, 2024}} and was installed in 1979,{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=Check out Vegas' remarkable public art, from 'Popeye' to a winged jackalope |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-las-vegas-art-on-the-strip-20170620-story.html |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 20, 2017}} at a cost of $1 million. Las Vegas architect Joel Bergman later said of the ceiling, "Nothing like that had been done before inside a casino. It changed the texture of design in Las Vegas." Bergman's firm was hired in 2010 to revamp the ceiling. Following the Tropicana's closure, the ceiling is expected to be donated to a historic group.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=McKenna |title=What's happening with the Tropicana's iconic stained glass? |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/whats-happening-with-the-tropicanas-iconic-stained-glass-3042952/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 1, 2024}}

In 1993, the Tropicana added the Wildlife Walk habitat, featuring exotic birds, mammals, and reptiles. It was built in an existing covered walkway linking the two hotel towers.{{cite news |title=Tropicana joins themed-resort crowd |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/152776072/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=August 11, 1993 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Take a walk on the wild side at the Tropicana |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/156791925/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 29, 1997 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}

Nikki Beach, a chain of beach clubs, opened a location at the Tropicana in May 2011. It was aimed at a clientele in the 30-to-40 age range.{{cite news |last=Finnegan |first=Amanda |title=2 new pool parties diving into Las Vegas 'daylife' scene |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2011/apr/07/2-new-pool-parties-joining-vegas-daylife-scene/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=VegasInc |date=April 7, 2011}} A nightclub, known as Club Nikki, also opened along with Cafe Nikki. The three facilities were added as part of the Tropicana's $180 million renovation.{{cite news |title=With Bagatelle's closing, the Tropicana has a chance to refocus on what it does best |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-see-it/2013/jul/31/bagatelles-closing-tropicana-has-chance-refocus-wh/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=July 31, 2013}} The resort parted ways with the Nikki brand later in 2011,{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Tropicana severs ties with Nikki Beach and Club Nikki and plans to run the show itself |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/sep/24/tropicana-severs-ties-nikki-beach-club-nikki-and-p/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=September 24, 2011}} and the nightclub was renamed RPM Nightclub.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Club Nikki to take on new name – RPM Nightclub – on New Year's Eve weekend |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/nov/03/club-nikki-take-new-name----rpm-nightclub---new-ye/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 3, 2011}}{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title=RPM Nightclub Closing at the End of March |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2012/3/8/6607135/rpm-nightclub-closing-at-the-end-of-march |website=Eater |date=March 8, 2012}}{{cite news |last=Green |first=Steve |title=Tropicana Las Vegas clubs under new ownership yet again |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2012/mar/08/tropicana-las-vegas-clubs-sold-yet-again/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=VegasInc |date=March 8, 2012}} The other club was soon rebranded as Bagatelle Beach & Supper Club.{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title=Some Things Bagatelle Doesn't Want You to Know |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2012/10/15/6535363/some-things-bagatelle-doesnt-want-you-to-know |website=Eater |access-date=December 28, 2023 |date=October 15, 2012}}{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title=Finally, Bagatelle's Beach Club Makes Its Debut |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2013/4/11/6451573/finally-bagatelles-beach-club-makes-its-debut |website=Eater |access-date=December 28, 2023 |date=April 11, 2013}} In 2013, the Tropicana took over operations of the two clubs and renamed them the Havana Room and Beach Club, open only for private events.{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Bagatelle Beach Club renamed Havana Room and Beach Club; closes to public in favor of private events |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2013/jul/24/bagatelle-beach-club-closes-tropicana-takes-over-h/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=July 24, 2013}}

{{multiple image

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Las Vegas Strip - Tropicana By Night - NARA - 7720022.jpg

| caption1 = Left to right: the 1986 and 1979 towers prior to the 2010 renovation

| image2 = Las Vegas casino.jpg

| caption2 = Overlooking the 1986 tower and low-rise structures in 2017

}}

The Tropicana originally opened with a three-story hotel and 300 rooms. The resort was built out in a "Y" shape, with its two hotel wings branching outward from the casino building.{{cite news |title=$15 Million Tropicana Hotel Opens Today |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1957/apr/03/15-million-tropicana-hotel-opens-today/ |access-date=December 22, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 3, 1957}} A three-story wing extension with 150 rooms, designed by architect Homer Rissman, was added in 1959.{{cite news |title=Tropicana Schedules Expansion, 150 Units |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20Schedules%20Expansion%2C%20150%20Units%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 20, 1959 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Another wing was extended in 1962. A four-story addition with 132 rooms, also by Rissman, was added in 1964.{{cite news |title=132 Spacious Units: $2 Million Addition Started Near Tropicana Hotel |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22%242%20Million%20Addition%20Started%20Near%20Tropicana%20Hotel%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 19, 1963 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana Opens Wing |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20Opens%22%20%22Wing%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 21, 1964 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Two major hotel expansions would later occur:

• The Tiffany Tower opened in 1979, with 600 rooms.{{cite news |title=Tiffany Tower groundbreaking at Tropicana |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tiffany%20Tower%20groundbreaking%22%20%22Tropicana%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 8, 1977 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} It was renamed the Paradise Tower in 1986.{{cite web |title=The Tropicana – Paradise Tower |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/the-tropicana-paradise-tower/15444 |website=Skyscraper Center |access-date=December 30, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana unveils 'island' in the desert |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20unveils%20%27island%27%20in%20the%20desert%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 25, 1986 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}
• The Island Tower opened in 1986, with 806 rooms.{{cite news |last=Kristof |first=Nicholas D. |title=Vegas Courts Low Rollers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/11/28/business/vegas-courts-low-rollers.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=November 28, 1985}}{{cite news |title=Swim-up blackjack returns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/123757250/ |work=Arizona Republic |date=July 2, 1995 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} It later became the Club Tower.{{cite news |title=Question of the Day |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/2015-12-24/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Advisor |date=December 24, 2015}}

The first and second towers are designated as 22 and 21 stories respectively,{{cite web |title=The Tropicana Las Vegas |url=https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/complex/949 |website=Skyscraper Center |access-date=December 29, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Bally's purchases the Tropicana in $308M deal |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/apr/13/ballys-purchased-the-tropicana-in-380m-deal/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 13, 2021}} although both skip the 13th floor due to bad-luck superstition among gamblers.{{cite web |title=Question of the Day |url=https://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/question/13th-floors-vegas-hotels/ |website=Las Vegas Advisor |access-date=December 30, 2023 |date=June 25, 2018}}

As part of the 2010 renovation, the resort demolished its 1959 and 1964 wings, the latter to make way for a second entrance and additional parking along Tropicana Avenue.{{cite web |title=Overview of Tropicana structures |url=https://files.vintagelasvegas.com/Tropicana.png |website=Vintage Las Vegas |access-date=December 22, 2023}} The 20th floor of the Paradise Tower was also renovated to include 6 luxury villas, removing 30 regular rooms in the process. As a result of these changes, the hotel was left with 1,467 rooms in total, down from approximately 1,870.{{cite news |last=Stutz |first=Howard |title=Aztar Finds Ace |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jul-21-Thu-2005/business/2580744.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 21, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050728124734/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Jul-21-Thu-2005/business/2580744.html |archive-date=July 28, 2005 |quote=He also didn't discuss why room reservations at the 1,871-room property were not being accepted past Dec. 1 [...].}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana on His Mind |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tropicana-on-his-mind/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 4, 2007 |quote=While he has been around to see the transformation of the Tropicana to the 1,878-room hotel [...].}}{{cite news |last=Knightly |first=Arnold M. |title=Ex-MGM exec gets OK to run Trop |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/ex-mgm-exec-gets-ok-to-run-trop/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 19, 2009 |quote=Yemenidjian told regulators the new owners plan to completely renovate the 1,876-room property [...].}}

From 2012 until it closed in 2024, the Tropicana's hotel had been affiliated with DoubleTree by Hilton.{{cite news |title=Hilton returns to Vegas Strip with Tropicana deal |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/hotelcheckin/2012/10/26/las-vegas-strip-hilton-worldwide-doubletree-chain-tropicana-las-vegas-hotel/1659893/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=USA Today |date=October 26, 2012}}

A $5 million remodeling project was launched in 1978, and included two new restaurants.{{cite news |title=Tropicana remodeling project set |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20remodeling%20project%20set%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 20, 1978 |access-date=December 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Others would debut in the late 1990s, including the Savanna Steakhouse.{{cite news |last=Paskevich |first=Michael |title=Time for a Change |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Time+for+a+Change%22+%22Tropicana%22&date_from=1998&date_to=&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=LVRB |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=March 13, 1998 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana eatery has new menu |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/126631545/ |work=Arizona Republic |date=July 21, 2002 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |last=White |first=Ken |title=Tropicana's upgraded steakhouse out to please customers |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jul-24-Wed-2002/living/19223009.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 24, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020924230737/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2002/Jul-24-Wed-2002/living/19223009.html |archive-date=September 24, 2002}} The Tropicana also opened Pietro's, a fine-dining restaurant that would go on to be well received.{{cite news |last=Knapp Rinella |first=Heidi |title=Restaurant Review: Vegas Institution |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jan-24-Fri-2003/weekly/20514843.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 24, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012064129/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jan-24-Fri-2003/weekly/20514843.html |archive-date=October 12, 2004}}{{cite news |last=Desiderio |first=Charlie |title=Small Italian restaurant is still one of the Strip's great treasures |url=http://www.lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2004/11/05/columnists/col05dining.txt |work=Las Vegas Business Press |date=November 5, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041126205715/http://www.lvbusinesspress.com:80/articles/2004/11/05/columnists/col05dining.txt |archive-date=November 26, 2004}}{{cite news |last=Stevens |first=Muriel |title=The Food Of Life |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/archive/2006/mar/19/the-food-of-life/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=March 19, 2006}} It eventually closed in 2007 under the resort's new ownership, which found it to be under-performing.{{cite news |title=New Trop owner trimming work force |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-04-Sun-2007/business/12230191.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 4, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070401210741/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Feb-04-Sun-2007/business/12230191.html |archive-date=April 1, 2007}}

The 2010 renovation added several new dining options, including the Italian restaurant Bacio.{{cite news |last=Finnegan |first=Amanda |title=Tropicana opens restaurants tied to $125M renovation |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep/16/tropicana-opens-restaurants-tied-125m-renovation/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=September 16, 2009}}{{cite news |title=Chef Carla Pellegrino's love at first sight with L.V., new restaurant, cookbook |url=https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2012/aug/30/carla-pellegrinos-love-first-sight-lv-new-restaura/ |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=August 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107033923/https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2012/aug/30/carla-pellegrinos-love-first-sight-lv-new-restaura/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017}} Legends Steak & Seafood, a {{convert|4000|sqft|abbr=on}} restaurant, was updated to become Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine.{{cite news |last=Illia |first=Tony |title=Will a Renovation Reverse Losses at the Tropicana? |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/23905-will-a-renovation-reverse-losses-at-the-tropicana |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Engineering News-Record |date=January 5, 2011}}{{cite news |last=Radke |first=Brock |title=Tropicana's Biscayne steakhouse falls a bit short |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/oct/19/tropicanas-biscayne-steakhouse-falls-bit-short/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=October 19, 2010}} In 2017, it was remodeled again to include a bar and lounge.{{cite web |last=Stapleton |first=Susan |title=Biscayne Reveals Its Contemporary Makeover |url=https://vegas.eater.com/2017/2/8/14544644/biscayne-renovation-tropicana-las-vegas |website=Eater |access-date=December 29, 2023 |date=February 8, 2017}} That year, celebrity chef Robert Irvine opened a restaurant, Robert Irvine's Public House,{{cite news|title=Robert Irvine fails to deliver on promises for Public House|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author1=Heidi Knapp Rinella|author2=Al Mancini|date=August 1, 2017|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/robert-irvine-fails-to-deliver-on-promises-for-public-house/|access-date=November 5, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=British chef and fitness guru Robert Irvine opens a namesake pub on the Vegas Strip |url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-tr-las-vegas-robert-irvine-public-house-restaurant-20170807-story.html |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 8, 2017}} and the resort also added Oakville Steakhouse.{{cite news|title=Naked City Pizza to offer party bus packages to Golden Knights games|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author1=Heidi Knapp Rinella|author2=Al Mancini|date=July 5, 2017|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/naked-city-pizza-to-offer-party-bus-packages-to-golden-knights-games/|access-date=November 5, 2017}}

From 1999 to 2005, the Tropicana was the home of the Casino Legends Hall of Fame.{{cite news|title=Casino Legends Hall of Fame looks to save gaming heritage|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Gary Thompson|date=February 5, 1999|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/feb/05/casino-legends-hall-of-fame-looks-to-save-gaming-h/|access-date=November 15, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Tropicana's closing shuts door on history|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Jerry Fink|date=April 2, 2006|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2006/apr/02/tropicanas-closing-shuts-door-on-history/|access-date=November 15, 2017}} It displayed artifacts and memorabilia from hundreds of casinos, and held induction ceremonies to honor notable Las Vegas entertainers and gaming industry figures.{{cite news|title=Strip mine: Casino Legends Hall of Fame details Las Vegas' past|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=June 4, 2002|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2002/jun/04/strip-mine-casino-legends-hall-of-fame-details-las/|access-date=November 15, 2017}} The {{convert|5000|sqft|abbr=on}} facility featured 10,000 items.{{cite news |last=Edwards |first=John G. |title=New Legends museum delivers taste of history |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Feb-15-Mon-1999/business/10559363.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 15, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000520094742/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Feb-15-Mon-1999/business/10559363.html |archive-date=May 20, 2000}} Upon closing, it was quickly replaced by the Las Vegas Historic Museum, which lasted until 2006.{{cite news|title=Keeping the past alive|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Ken White|date=July 29, 2005|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F10C879E393BD92D8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}

Convention and exhibit space was added in 1973,{{cite web |title=Tropicana Las Vegas |url=https://historiclasvegasproject.com/Tropicana-Las-Vegas.html |website=Historic Las Vegas Project |access-date=December 28, 2023}} and an expansion was completed in 2015.{{cite news |last=Velotta |first=Richard N. |title=Tropicana expanding meeting space |url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/gaming/2013/jun/04/tropicana-expanding-meeting-space/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=VegasInc |date=June 4, 2013}}{{cite web |title=Expansion Of Tropicana Las Vegas Convention Facilities Slated For Completion March 1, 2015 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/expansion-of-tropicana-las-vegas-convention-facilities-slated-for-completion-march-1-2015-272738281.html |agency=PR Newswire |access-date=December 28, 2023 |date=August 26, 2014}} The space hosted several exhibits,{{cite news |title=Tropicana makes waves with 'Titanic' |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/mar/25/tropicana-makes-waves-with-titanic/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=March 25, 2005}}{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title='Experiential entertainment' to be a hallmark of Las Vegas Mob Experience |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2010/apr/25/experiential/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 25, 2010}} including "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition", which opened in 2005.{{cite news|title='Titanic' is a hull of a time|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Jerry Fink|date=April 8, 2005|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/apr/08/columnist-jerry-fink-titanic-is-a-hull-of-a-time/|access-date=November 5, 2017}} It was joined in 2006 by "Bodies: The Exhibition", a display of preserved human bodies.{{cite news|title=Bodies displayed at Tropicana|newspaper=Anthem View|location=Las Vegas, NV|author=Laura Tucker|date=June 27, 2006|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1243CCFE8C9FF6D0&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} The two exhibits, both produced by Premier Exhibitions, closed in 2008 to move to the Luxor.{{cite news|title=Two nongaming attractions now at Tropicana will be displayed at Luxor|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|date=March 19, 2008|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/two-nongaming-attractions-now-at-tropicana-will-be-displayed-at-luxor/|access-date=November 5, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Exhibits, shows moving|newspaper=The Press-Enterprise|location=Riverside, CA|author=Bruce Camenga|date=November 28, 2008|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F124E7B12A70FB1E0&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}

They were replaced in March 2011 by the Las Vegas Mob Experience, an attraction describing the rise and fall of organized crime in Las Vegas, featuring mob artifacts, holograms of famed gangsters such as Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky, and live actors.{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Jay |title=Bugsy Siegel's Las Vegas |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-02-la-tr-mob-20110102-story.html |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 2, 2011}}{{cite news |last=Saltzstein |first=Dan |title=Two New Museums to Explore Vegas Mob Past |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/09/two-new-museums-to-explore-vegas-mob-past/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=March 9, 2011}}{{cite news|title=Las Vegas Mob Experience mixes entertainment and family history|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Sonya Padgett|date=March 31, 2011|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/las-vegas-mob-experience-mixes-entertainment-and-family-history/|access-date=November 5, 2017}} After being plagued by technical problems, litigation, and low ticket sales, and going through a bankruptcy and partial closure, the exhibit became known as the Mob Attraction Las Vegas in March 2012.{{cite news|last=Katsilometes|first=John|title=Mob Experience closing down much of the 'experience' to make upgrades|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/sep/09/mob-experience-closing-down-much-experience-make-u/|access-date=September 12, 2011|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|date=September 9, 2011}}{{cite news|title=Tropicana mob exhibit consultant: 'Nobody has an attraction like this'|newspaper=Vegas Inc.|author=Steve Green|date=March 5, 2012|url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/business/2012/mar/05/mob-attraction-consultant/|access-date=November 5, 2017}} It closed in November 2013.{{cite news|title=Investors in failed Mob Experience: Jay Bloom 'has given us a shot at making our money back'|newspaper=Vegas Inc.|date=August 20, 2014|url=https://vegasinc.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/aug/20/investors-failed-mob-experience-jay-bloom-has-give/|access-date=November 5, 2017}}

File:Palm trees in front of Tropicana, Las Vegas.jpg

A plaza with tropical landscaping was located at the Tropicana – Las Vegas intersection, in front of the resort and facing the Strip. This area originally featured a water cooling tower, which was covered with a tulip-shaped fountain structure. It stood {{Convert|60|ft}}, and was demolished in 1977, as part of renovation work.{{cite news |title=Trop Symbol Turned to Rubble |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Trop%20Symbol%20Turned%20to%20Rubble%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 29, 1977 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

The tropical theme was added in 1991, and included two large statues depicting Easter Island heads. The statues were {{Convert|35|ft}} high and weighed 300,000 pounds each. They were removed in 1996, during a renovation.{{cite news |last=Green |first=Marian |title=Tropicana plans statue removal |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20plans%20statue%20removal%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 10, 1996 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

The plaza's tropical theme was expanded with a Caribbean village facade, which began construction in 1993 and was finished within a year.{{cite news |title=Tropicana adding island flavor |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%20adding%20island%20flavor%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 12, 1993 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=New bridges keep visitors off streets |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/160067846/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=June 12, 1994 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana face lift to include remodeled rooms |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157429747/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 25, 1994 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} In 1994, the plaza debuted a free laser light show, accompanied by music and special effects such as fog.{{cite news |title=Goulet returns home as 'Camelot' debuts in LV |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Goulet%20returns%20home%20as%20%27Camelot%27%20debuts%20in%20LV%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 10, 1994 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana adds new laser light shows |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/123141088/ |work=Arizona Republic |date=July 10, 1994 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana provides laser-light shows at Four Corners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/159924504/ |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 24, 1994 |access-date=December 30, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} Plans were announced in 2013 to build a two-story shopping area on the plaza land,{{cite news |last=Sieroty |first=Chris |title=Tropicana chief sees new retailers at property transforming south Strip |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/tropicana-chief-sees-new-retailers-at-property-transforming-south-strip/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 26, 2013}} but this project was later scrapped.

The Tropicana Country Club opened in September 1961,{{cite news |title=Quiet-Spoken Jaffe Founder of Course |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Quiet-Spoken%22+%22Jaffe%22+%22Founder+of+Course%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 2, 1961 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Country Club Opens |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?date_from=1961&date_to=&text=%22Country+Club+Opens%22&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 3, 1961 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} on {{convert|125|acre}} of land. It was located north of the resort, across Tropicana Avenue. The site had consisted of vacant desert land, which was transformed into the golf club over a 10-month period.{{cite news|title=New Las Vegas course to open|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|date=August 29, 1961|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14945391/new_las_vegas_course_to_open/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Hotels sponsor sports events in Las Vegas|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 7, 1963|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14945410/hotels_sponsor_sports_events_in_las/|via=Newspapers.com}} It included a 70-par course measuring 6,481 yards.{{cite news |last=Fossum |first=Jim |title=Pro laments Tropicana's demise |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Pro%20laments%20Tropicana%27s%20demise%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 5, 1990 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

MGM Grand Inc. purchased the country club in 1989,{{cite news |title=Tropicana's closure to be big blow to golfing |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana%27s%20closure%20to%20be%20big%20blow%20to%20golfing%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=October 12, 1989 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} and closed it a year later. The land was redeveloped as the MGM Grand resort and MGM Grand Adventures theme park, both opened in 1993.{{cite news |title=MGM planning $700 million movie theme park in Vegas |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/149859176/ |work=Reno Gazette-Journal |date=October 4, 1989 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|title=Mirage-fed optimism sparks 'room boom'|newspaper=Press of Atlantic City|agency=Scripps Howard|date=April 29, 1990|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EAEA859D997D928&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}{{cite news |last=Guzzon |first=John |title=Sports/Entertainment Award of Merit – Topgolf Las Vegas |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/40693-sportsentertainment-award-of-merit---topgolf-las-vegas |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Engineering News-Record |date=October 24, 2016}}

The Tropicana opened with the 450-seat Theatre Restaurant, featuring tiered flooring which overlooked a semi-circular stage. It also included glass walls offering a view of the property's tropical gardens.{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=David G.|title=Sixty Years Ago, the Tropicana Opened Under Mob's Hidden Control |url=https://themobmuseum.org/blog/tropicana/ |website=The Mob Museum |access-date=December 29, 2023 |date=April 4, 2017}} The venue opened with singer Eddie Fisher,{{cite news |last=Pearl |first=Ralph |title=Spectacle opens lavish Tropicana |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1957/apr/04/spectacle-opens-lavish-tropicana/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=April 4, 1957}} who was a regular performer there.{{cite web |last=Goodwin |first=Grace Eliza |title=The historic Tropicana hotel in Las Vegas could be demolished — old photos show what the resort was like in its midcentury heyday |url=https://www.insider.com/photos-show-the-tropicana-las-vegas-in-its-midcentury-heyday-2023-6 |website=Insider |access-date=December 29, 2023 |date=June 19, 2023}}

Other venues included the Showcase and Blue Room lounges.{{cite web |last=Kachelriess |first=Rob |title=The Iconic Las Vegas Tropicana Is Going Out with a Bang Soon |url=https://www.thrillist.com/travel/las-vegas/tropicana-las-vegas-torn-down-2025 |website=Thrillist |access-date=December 29, 2023 |date=October 3, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana Preparing Lounge |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Tropicana+Preparing+Lounge%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 15, 1964 |access-date=December 22, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Jazz performances took place in the latter, which opened in 1965.{{cite news |title=Tropicana celebrates 25th anniversary |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22tropicana%22+%22Art+Nouveau%22+%22leaded+glass%22&date_from=1982&date_to=&content_added=&pub%5B%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=May 13, 1982 |access-date=December 28, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana Blue Room Show Is Talk of Strip |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%20%22Tropicana%20Blue%20Room%20Show%20Is%20Talk%20of%20Strip%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 7, 1965 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} The Blue Room seated more than 400 people. Notable performers there included Louis Armstrong, Erroll Garner, Benny Goodman, Al Hirt and the Ramsey Lewis Trio.{{cite news |title=Joe Delaney remembers 1968: Pete Fountain at the Tropicana |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/nov/10/joe-delaney-remembers-1968-pete-fountain-at-the-tr/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=November 10, 2000}}

The Tropicana Holiday, a striptease revue starring Jayne Mansfield, opened in 1958.{{cite book |last=Golden |first=Eve |title=Jayne Mansfield: The Girl Couldn't Help It |date=2021 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |isbn=978-0-8131-8097-7 |page=126 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zBP2DwAAQBAJ&dq=tropicana+holiday+mansfield&pg=PA126 |access-date=December 30, 2023}} Later that year, the Stardust resort opened on the Strip along with the show Lido de Paris, featuring topless showgirls. Inspired by the show's success, the Tropicana debuted its own topless revue in 1959, titled Folies Bergere.{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=David G. |title=The Tiffany of the Strip |url=http://vegasseven.com/2017/03/30/tropicana-the-tiffany-of-the-strip/ |work=Vegas Seven |date=March 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403225848/http://vegasseven.com/2017/03/30/tropicana-the-tiffany-of-the-strip/ |archive-date=April 3, 2017}} The show was imported from Paris. Aside from the showgirls, Folies Bergere also featured other acts, including the Las Vegas debut of magicians Siegfried & Roy (1967) and Lance Burton (1982).{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Lance Burton's disappearing act takes him back to Kentucky |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/lance-burtons-disappearing-act-takes-him-back-to-kentucky-2210066/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 9, 2020}} The show ran at the Tropicana until 2009, closing shortly before its 50th anniversary.{{cite web |last=Meraji |first=Shereen |title=Folies Bergere To Close In Las Vegas |url=https://www.npr.org/2009/02/23/100930154/folies-bergere-to-close-in-las-vegas |publisher=NPR |access-date=December 28, 2023 |date=February 23, 2009}} As of 2023, it remains the longest-running show in Las Vegas history.{{cite news |last=Bracelin |first=Jason |title=Glamour, gangsters and million-dollar ceilings: The Trop's legacy in Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/the-strip/glamour-gangsters-and-million-dollar-ceilings-the-trops-legacy-in-las-vegas-2786652/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 2, 2023}}

File:Air Play show at Tropicana in Las Vegas.jpg

Several live albums were recorded at the Tropicana, including Kenton Live from the Las Vegas Tropicana (1959) by Stan Kenton,{{cite web |title=Stan Kenton – Kenton Live from the Las Vegas Tropicana |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/kenton-live-from-the-las-vegas-tropicana-mw0000879812 |website=AllMusic |access-date=December 30, 2023}} Jackpot! (1966) by Dave Brubeck,{{cite book|title=Album Reviews|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA74|date=February 24, 1968|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=1–|issn=0006-2510}} Standing Ovation (1969) by Count Basie,{{cite web |title=Count Basie – Standing Ovation Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/standing-ovation-mw0000533812 |website=AllMusic |access-date=December 30, 2023}} Keep the Customer Satisfied (1970) by the Buddy Rich Big Band,{{cite web |title=Buddy Rich – Keep the Customer Satisfied |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/keep-the-customer-satisfied-mw0000112260 |website=AllMusic |access-date=December 30, 2023}} and America! America! America! (1978) by Pink Lady.

In 2002, the casino floor debuted Air Play, a free show performed several times daily. It featured various entertainers – including jugglers, singers and dancers – who performed on a stage atop a bank of slot machines, with the casino's stained-glass ceiling as a backdrop. As part of the show, a track was also installed along the ceiling for acrobatic performances.{{cite news |last=Padgett |first=Sonya |title=Free Show: Up in the Air |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-05-Thu-2002/living/20188158.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=December 5, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051121200636/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Dec-05-Thu-2002/living/20188158.html |archive-date=November 21, 2005}}{{cite news |title=Air Supply: Tropicana offers show in the sky and it's free |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/jan/02/air-supply-tropicana-offers-show-in-the-sky-and-it/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=January 2, 2003}}

File:Tropicana - panoramio (1).jpg

The largest venue at the property was the 1,100-seat Tropicana Theater,{{cite news|title='Legends in Concert' moving to 'famed four corners' of Las Vegas Strip|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=John Katsilometes|date=October 16, 2018|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/legends-in-concert-moving-to-famed-four-corners-of-las-vegas-strip/|access-date=March 4, 2019}} which featured the Prince tribute show Purple Reign (since 2017){{cite news|title='Purple Reign' makes the move from Westgate to Tropicana|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Brock Radke|date=November 1, 2017|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/nov/01/purple-reign-prince-tribute-show-tropicana/|access-date=October 2, 2018}} and the Michael Jackson tribute show MJ Live (since 2022).{{cite news|title='MJ Live' is off-the-wall-fun in Las Vegas|work=Las Vegas Magazine|author=Ken Miller|date=February 18, 2022|url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2022/feb/18/mj-live-tropicana-las-vegas-strip-tribute/|access-date=January 12, 2023}} The venue opened in 1973 as the Superstar Theater,{{cite news|title=New Vegas showrooms sign up acts|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Robert Hilburn|date=September 29, 1973|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/14895125/new_vegas_showrooms_sign_up_acts/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=Tropicana Opens New Room |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/23987737/ |work=Van Nuys News |date=October 9, 1973 |access-date=December 25, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com |url-access=subscription}} built to the specifications desired by Sammy Davis Jr.{{cite book |last=Fishgall |first=Gary |title=Gonna Do Great Things: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr. |date=2010 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |isbn=978-1-4391-3157-2 |page=305 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cNvSMAsGilQC&pg=PA305}} It was renamed as the Tiffany Theatre in 1975.{{cite news|title=Tropicana Las Vegas unveils new theater design|newspaper=Lodging Magazine|date=February 22, 2013|url=http://lodgingmagazine.com/tropicana-las-vegas-unveils-new-theater-design/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} In 2011, it became the Gladys Knight Theater when the singer began a residency at the venue.{{cite news|title=Under-renovation Tropicana gears up for the Knight life|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John Katsilometes|date=March 14, 2011|url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/mar/14/under-renovation-tropicana-gears-knight-life/|access-date=November 4, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Katsilometes |first=John |title=Gladys Knight: Performing at Trop was 'a dream come true,' but staying didn't make financial sense |url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/sep/23/gladys-knight-performing-trop-was-dream-come-true-/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=September 23, 2011}} It was renamed as the Tropicana Theater later that year, after Knight's departure.{{cite news|title=Recycled Percussion is the act, Tropicana Theater the name as showroom (loudly) enters new phase|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John Katsilometes|date=November 2, 2011|url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/nov/02/recycled-percussion-act-tropicana-theater-name-sho/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} From 2019 to 2022, it hosted the celebrity impersonator revue Legends in Concert and was named the Legends in Concert Theater.{{cite news|title=Country tribute show opening on Las Vegas Strip|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=John Katsilometes|date=February 19, 2019|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/country-tribute-show-opening-on-las-vegas-strip-1600751/|access-date=March 4, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Legends in Concert show to conclude four-year run at Tropicana Las Vegas|publisher=KSNV-TV|date=December 28, 2022|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/legends-in-concert-show-to-conclude-four-year-run-at-tropicana-las-vegas-strip-southern-nevada-entertainment-tribute-show-elvis-presley|access-date=January 12, 2023}}

Other productions at the theater have included magician Rick Thomas (1997–2005);{{cite news|title=Tropicana's magic show more derivative than original|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Michael Paskevich|date=September 12, 1997|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0FD38F5E4238D907&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}{{cite news|title=Thomas moves magic show amid uncertainty at Tropicana|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=February 3, 2005|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1080E50C9BB20EF8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}{{cite news|title=Sleight of hand, slight of statute|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=April 15, 2005|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1098F1DCF0650B29&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} magician Dirk Arthur (2005–2010);{{cite news|title='Dice' miffed over 'Donny Clay' show|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Norm Clarke|date=March 14, 2010|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12E7D58404CB66D8&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} singer Wayne Newton (2009–2010);{{cite news|title=Wayne Newton: The story, but not the sound|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Joe Brown|date=November 2, 2009|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/nov/02/story-not-sound/|access-date=November 4, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Newton turns to projects away from the stage as 'Once Before I Go' closes|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John Katsilometes|date=April 26, 2010|url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2010/apr/26/newton-turns-projects-away-stage-once-i-go-closes/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} percussion group Recycled Percussion (2010–2012);{{cite news|title=New shows set to open|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=November 11, 2010|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/mike-weatherford/new-shows-set-to-open/|access-date=November 4, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Recycled Percussion stepping in for Human Nature; Trop theater overhaul|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John Katsilometes|date=November 13, 2012|url=https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2012/nov/13/recycled-percussion-stepping-human-nature-trop-the/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} a live production of Dancing with the Stars (2012);{{cite news|title='Dancing' a step in right direction|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=April 15, 2012|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F13E34FF5AF743D38&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} Mamma Mia!, the Broadway musical based on the songs of ABBA (2014);{{cite news|title='Mamma Mia!' closes in less than three months at Tropicana|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John Katsilometes|date=July 22, 2014|url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2014/jul/22/mamma-mia-closes-less-four-months-trop/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} Raiding the Rock Vault, a musical featuring classic rock songs (2014–2016);{{cite news|title=Never too old to raid the 'Rock Vault'|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=November 15, 2014|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/never-too-old-to-raid-the-rock-vault/|access-date=November 5, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Wave of show closings a blow to the Las Vegas entertainment community|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=July 31, 2016|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/mike-weatherford/wave-of-show-closings-a-blow-to-the-las-vegas-entertainment-community/|access-date=November 5, 2017}} illusionist Jan Rouven (2014–2016);{{cite news|title=A bigger stage means bigger dangers in Jan Rouven's revamped 'Illusions'|newspaper=Las Vegas Magazine|author=Matt Kelemen|date=December 5, 2014|url=https://lasvegasmagazine.com/entertainment/2014/dec/05/jan-rouven-tropicana/|access-date=November 5, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Tropicana acts quickly on cutting loose Jan Rouven|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John Katsilometes|date=March 17, 2016|url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2016/mar/17/tropicana-acts-fast-on-cutting-loose-jan-rouven/|access-date=November 5, 2017}} and illusionist David Goldrake (2017–2018).{{cite news|title='New magic guy' in town opens Tropicana show|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Robin Leach|date=July 21, 2017|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/robin-leach/new-magic-guy-in-town-opens-tropicana-show/|access-date=November 4, 2017}}{{cite news|title=After GGG, 'Canelo' to answer the bell at XS Nightclub|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=John Katsilometes|date=September 14, 2018|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/after-ggg-canelo-to-answer-the-bell-at-xs-nightclub/|access-date=October 2, 2018}}

A showroom on the Tropicana's mezzanine level was occupied by the Laugh Factory, a comedy club which offered two nightly stand-up comedy shows,{{cite news|title=New venture at the Tropicana is a laugh–or, rather, a factory of them|newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly|author=John Katsilometes|date=March 20, 2012|url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/kats-report/2012/mar/20/new-venture-tropicana-laugh-or-rather-factory-them/|access-date=November 4, 2017}}{{cite news|title=30-year veteran of Vegas comedy clubs now runs one|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=April 11, 2016|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/shows/30-year-veteran-of-vegas-comedy-clubs-now-runs-one/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} as well as nightly performances by impressionist Rich Little{{cite news|title=Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Stewart remain two of Rich Little's favorite voices|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Robin Leach|date=September 28, 2015|url=https://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/sep/28/ronald-reagan-jimmy-stewart-remain-two-rich-little/|access-date=March 5, 2019}} and comic magician Murray Sawchuck.{{cite news|title=Murray the Magician is right at home at the Trop|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=Brock Radke|date=November 21, 2018|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/nov/21/murray-sawchuck-comedy-magician-laugh-factory-trop/|access-date=March 5, 2019}} The space opened in 1988 as Rodney's Place, a comedy club associated with Rodney Dangerfield, which closed after six months.{{cite news|title=Rodney Dangerfield takes a question at the opening of his comedy club at the Tropicana Hotel|newspaper=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=December 29, 1988|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB29FA553BF4706&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}}{{cite news|title=Nevada casinos going for the cheap laughs|newspaper=Mercury News|author=Laura Myers|agency=Associated Press|date=August 7, 1989|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0EB7308322F6D47F&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} It then operated as the Comedy Stop from 1990 to 2009.{{cite news|title=The Comedy Stop will stop|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=March 11, 2009|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/entertainment-the-comedy-stop-will-stop/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} The venue next became the Bobby Slayton Room, offering regular shows by the comedian and several other performers.{{cite news|title=Construction may keep tourists away|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=September 24, 2009|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12AF259EAFC723E0&rft_id=info%3Asid%2Finfoweb.newsbank.com&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=1028A39C75C2B899|via=NewsBank}} It then opened as Brad Garrett's Comedy Club in 2010.{{cite news|title=Brad Garrett is taking the ultimate Las Vegas gamble|newspaper=Las Vegas Weekly|author=John Katsilometes|date=July 22, 2010|url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/2010/jul/22/brad-garrett-taking-ultimate-vegas-gamble/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} Garrett's club departed in 2011 to move to the MGM Grand.{{cite news|title=Brad Garrett closes out at the Trop, focuses his ample energy on MGM Grand|newspaper=Las Vegas Sun|author=John Katsilometes|date=December 14, 2011|url=https://lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2011/dec/14/brad-garrett-closes-out-trop-focuses-his-ample-ene/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} The Laugh Factory took over the space in 2012,{{cite news|title=Masada sees Trop as top spot for laughs|newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author=Mike Weatherford|date=April 12, 2012|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/mike-weatherford/masada-sees-trop-as-top-spot-for-laughs/|access-date=November 4, 2017}} and continued there until the Tropicana closed in 2024. The Laugh Factory intends to relocate to a new yet-to-be-determined location on the Strip.{{cite news |title=Tropicana's shows will survive hotel demolition |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/kats/tropicanas-shows-will-survive-hotel-demolition-2990052/ |access-date=April 2, 2024 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 29, 2024}}

The Tropicana made various appearances in popular culture, including films:

• A scene from Folies Bergere is featured in the 1964 Elvis Presley film Viva Las Vegas.{{cite news |last=McGee |first=Kimberley |title=Still opulent and extravagant, the 'Folies Bergere' celebrates the big Four-O |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/dec/10/still-opulent-and-extravagant-the-folies-bergere-c/ |access-date=December 29, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=December 10, 1999}}{{cite news |last=Epting |first=Chris |title=Reel Las Vegas |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3840263 |access-date=December 26, 2023 |publisher=NBC News |date=December 30, 2003}}
• In the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, 007 stays at the Tropicana, because he has heard it is "quite comfortable".{{cite news |last=Lawrence |first=Christopher |title=When James Bond came to Las Vegas |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-columns/christopher-lawrence/when-james-bond-came-to-las-vegas-photos/ |access-date=December 26, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=November 4, 2015}}
• The Las Vegas sequence of The Godfather (1972) was filmed at the resort.Block, Marcelline (2011). World Film Locations: Las Vegas. Intellect Books. Page 18. {{ISBN|9781841505886}}.
• Filming took place at the Tropicana for the 1992 film This Is My Life, while a coffee shop at the resort was recreated on a sound stage for additional filming.{{cite web |title=This Is My Life (1992) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/59412 |website=American Film Institute |access-date=December 31, 2023}}{{cite news |last=Clarke |first=Norm |title=Ephron's husband has Vegas friends |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/ephrons-husband-has-vegas-friends/ |access-date=December 31, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 29, 2012}}{{cite news |last=Italie |first=Hillel |title=Author, director Ephron dies of leukemia at 71 |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/author-director-ephron-dies-of-leukemia-at-71/ |access-date=December 31, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |agency=Associated Press |date=June 27, 2012}}

The Tropicana was also featured in television programs:

• The resort was a filming location for a 1978 episode of Charlie's Angels titled "Angels in Vegas".{{cite news |title=Angels Invade Vegas |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Angels%20Invade%20Vegas%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=June 14, 1978 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |last=Toole |first=Michael |title=Fembots! Dan Tanna! The Angels! Fred Sanford! (Did We Mention the Fembots?) |url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/news/archive/2005/mar/03/fembots-dan-tanna-the-angels-fred-sanford-did-we-m/ |access-date=December 25, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Weekly |date=March 3, 2005}}
• A two-part episode of Designing Women, aired in 1992 during season seven, was set at the Tropicana. In the episodes, Anthony meets and marries a showgirl from Folies Bergere.
• In 1998, stunt performer Robbie Knievel jumped a motorcycle across 30 limousines at the Tropicana, for a live two-hour special titled Daredevils Live: Shattering the Records.{{cite news |last=Zekan |first=Karen |title=Weather to pose added challenge for daredevil |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1998/feb/24/weather-to-pose-added-challenge-for-daredevil/ |access-date=December 28, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=February 24, 1998}}{{cite news |title=Robbie Knievel Makes Record Jump |url=https://apnews.com/article/a7978b5406822d84742fb88069f0d535 |work=Associated Press News |date=February 24, 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207132422/https://apnews.com/article/a7978b5406822d84742fb88069f0d535 |archive-date=February 7, 2023}}
• An episode of Seven Days filmed at the Tropicana in 1999.{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=Time travel show 'Seven Days' to spend week in Vegas |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Feb-22-Mon-1999/lifestyles/10648010.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=February 22, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001003221239/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1999/Feb-22-Mon-1999/lifestyles/10648010.html |archive-date=October 3, 2000}}{{cite news |last=Levine |first=Phil |title=Filmmakers, casinos work to bridge gap between two cultures |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2000/may/07/filmmakers-casinos-work-to-bridge-gap-between-two-/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Sun |date=May 7, 2000}}
• The Tropicana was featured on the TV show Angel in the 2002 episode "The House Always Wins", as the casino where the character Lorne had his show.{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=BMW ad, 'Angel' episode call Vegas home for a few days |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Aug-19-Mon-2002/living/19426470.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=August 19, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050316175345/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2002/Aug-19-Mon-2002/living/19426470.html |archive-date=March 16, 2005}}
• The fifth-season premiere of Malcolm in the Middle was filmed at the Tropicana in 2003.{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=Spike Lee to begin work on Internet commercial for Microsoft |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jul-28-Mon-2003/living/21811417.html |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=July 28, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041228164908/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Jul-28-Mon-2003/living/21811417.html |archive-date=December 28, 2004}}

The Tropicana was also used for the taping of several game shows, including Dealer's Choice (1974) and Las Vegas Gambit (1980–81).{{cite news |title=New TV game show taped at Tropicana |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22New%20TV%20game%20show%20taped%20at%20Tropicana%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=January 9, 1974 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite news |title=Gambit renewed at Tropicana |url=https://reviewjournal.newsbank.com/search?text=%22Gambit%20renewed%20at%20Tropicana%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=1508AFD0E83DBED6 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=April 17, 1981 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Let's Make a Deal was revived in 2009, with half of its first season taped at the resort,{{cite news |last=Cling |first=Carol |title=Real 'Deal' at Tropicana; 'Pawn Stars' back for more |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/shooting-stars-real-deal-at-tropicana-pawn-stars-back-for-more/ |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal |date=September 7, 2009}}{{cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |title=New 'Let's Make a Deal' Will Play the Trop |url=https://www.thewrap.com/new-lets-make-deal-will-play-trop-5900/ |website=TheWrap |access-date=December 27, 2023 |date=September 2, 2009}} before moving to Los Angeles.

• Tropicana Atlantic City
• Tropicana Laughlin

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://casinos.ballys.com/tropicana-las-vegas/ Tropicana Las Vegas official website]

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